Most likely Colts offense will be on the field first

Odds favor the Indianapolis Colts offense being on the field first tonight, regardless of how the coin falls.

When the Colts traveled to Baltimore in November, the Ravens won the coin toss, but coach John Harbaugh chose to defer and take the ball to start the second half.

That wasn't an aberration. Including last week's playoff win at New England, Baltimore has won the coin toss nine times and deferred eight times.

That's the sign of a coach who believes in a defense ranked No. 3 in fewest yards and points allowed. And that defense has risen to the challenge. Only once when the Ravens deferred did the opponent score on the opening possession. That was Nov. 22, when quarterback Peyton Manning took the Colts on a seven-play, 87-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Clark.

Two other teams deferred after winning the coin flip against the Colts this season: Denver and New England. The Colts made the Broncos pay with a touchdown drive but went three-and-out against the Patriots.